Michelin X-Ice Xi3 Review

UPDATE 1: What happens if it doesn’t snow?...

Here at MinimumTread we tend to gravitate toward vehicles and vehicle components that provide significant performance with little to no compromise. From our perspective, the more well rounded the better.

In terms of tires, there is no doubt that Michelin is currently making some of the most proficient and well rounded tires on the market. For example, the Michelin Pilot Super Sport’s breadth of capabilities is amazing, and probably unprecedented. It delivers immense grip and impressive track performance for a street tire, but at the same time remains perfectly livable on a day to day basis, and it’s got good treadlife to boot. In fact, the only thing that the Pilot Super Sport doesn’t do is perform in winter conditions, and that’s where the X-Ice Xi3 comes in.

We picked up a set of Michelin X-Ice Xi3 for this winter with admittedly lofty expectations. Combined with our B7 Audi S4, we expect to conquer northern Michigan blizzards without breaking a sweat… Bring it on Old Man Winter.

Michelin X-Ice Xi3

Well, Dasher, Dancer, and Prancer are fueling up and as of yet winter has yet to arrive. In fact, it feels more like monsoon season.The X-Ice Xi3 is a full-fledged snow tire, but it’s quite unexpectedly 52 degrees and pouring rain. Michelin claims to “continuously push safety, durability and fuel efficiency, and even more performances, all at the same time and with no trade-offs.” So then how does the X-Ice Xi3 perform far outside of its intended winter element?

Quite well, actually. Firstly, in both dry and wet conditions we’ve found that the X-Ice Xi3 produces very little road noise. This is important because snow tires can be disconcertingly vocal; the X-Ice Xi3 is simply not.In wet (understatement) conditions, the X-Ice Xi3 feels fully hooked up and unstressed. We’ve worked our way through standing water in everything up to highway speeds, and the X-Ice Xi3 hasn’t flinched once.

Dry road handling and grip is a positive as well. The X-Ice Xi3 is not a performance snow tire like the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4, so handling expectations should be somewhat tempered (more on this in Update 9 below). But nevertheless we’ve been impressed with how well the X-Ice Xi3 has maintained our Audi’s dynamic attributes.

Some of that handling and performance perhaps comes at the expense of rough road compliance and ride comfort. We’ve not found that the X-Ice Xi3 offers much more “cushion” than some ultra high performance all season tires, for example. We’ll happily accept the relatively hard ride in exchange for the positive handling attributes though.

UPDATE 2: The X-Ice Xi3 slices through mixed road conditions like a hot knife through butter​.

A wise driver once said, “so long as you’re paying attention, there is very little that goes wrong with the wheel pointed straight. It's the turning that gets people in trouble.”

Nowhere is that more true than in a northern winter with snow and ice covered roads.

But it's often the mixed road conditions that prove to be hazardous; transitioning back and forth from clear/dry road, to hard-packed and/or loose snow, ice, etc.

The ability of the driver to anticipate, respond, and adapt to those changing conditions is crucial. And the vehicle and tires can either help or hinder that process.

One such mixed road condition and scenario is common in north country –

After the plow trucks have done their duty, there often remains a snow and slush "barrier" that separates the road lanes. Forging thru that often dense barrier – to enter the passing lane on the highway, for example – can be an intimidating and harrowing experience indeed, and unsettles many vehicles. We've seen more than a few spin out into the highway median after an attempt to cross that barrier. Experienced winter drivers know the feeling of fighting the steering wheel, and even sometimes countersteering through this snow and slush buildup as they transition lanes and look to reestablish grip.

Michelin X-Ice Xi3

The plow trucks were more than ready for our first notable snow of the season, and so before long the problematic snow and slush barriers were in place for our highway commute the day after a snowfall. ​

The X-Ice Xi3 slices through the the wintry buildup between lanes like no other winter/snow tire we've experienced. We're talking zero stress. The poise with which the X-Ice Xi3 transitions from dry/clear road and into or thru snow and slush is awesome. The sense is that traction is uninterrupted as the tire encounters and rolls through the various conditions. The X-Ice Xi3 tracks positively and there is little to no sense that the front wheels are being bullied by the conditions.

So the X-Ice Xi3 is simply excellent in such hazardous, mixed road conditions.

And to reiterate what we explained in Update 1, the X-Ice Xi3 continues to surprise with its quietness. On dry, wet, icy, and snow covered roads, the road noise is always very limited.More to come. ​​

What is the single most important factor when it comes to winter driving performance and safety?

If you listen only to car manufacturer commercials, you might think “advanced” all-wheel drive systems or braking capability are most important. And if you listen to Buford at the local tavern, you probably know that a “good ‘murican 4-wheel drive and a ‘pair’ will get ya through anything.”

​While the B7 Audi S4 is our own, we must acknowledge that the more current F30 BMW 335i xDrive holds a distinct performance edge in dry conditions. But on a snow covered road with tire inequality, the results are very different indeed.

Continental manufactures some of the very best all season tires on the market (see the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06), but when it comes to winter performance, the ContiProContact SSR certainly isn’t one of them. The fact is though, the average snow performance of the ContiProContact SSR is representative of perhaps most of the all season tires on wintry roadways. The ContiProContact SSR is therefore an appropriate reference point for the purposes of this test.

On the Audi S4 side, the Michelin X-Ice Xi3 snow tire handles winter like the Abominable Snowman.Fair fight? Nope… but that’s the point.

Braking Performance

Speeds are reduced in winter conditions, so while braking performance is often evaluated from 60 mph to 0, we opted for a more realistic 40 mph to 0 test.

Fitted with the Michelin X-Ice Xi3, the Audi S4’s best stop from 40 mph was 39 ft. shorter than the BMW’s best.

To put that into perspective, the average car length is about 15 ft. So we’re talking two full car lengths plus a Smart car.

To further emphasize the brake distance disparity, consider that (in dry conditions) a Kia Sorento AWD SUV stops from 60 mph in 122 ft., while the Porsche 918 Spyder hypercar completes the task in 94 ft. A difference of just 28 ft.

In terms of braking times, the Audi S4 with Michelin X-Ice Xi3 stopped from 40 mph in about 4.95 seconds. The BMW 335i xDrive with all season tires required 6.34 seconds to complete the same task.

​Subjectively speaking from behind the wheel, the brake performance advantage of the Michelin X-Ice Xi3 is as significant as it sounds. The braking power and control provided by the Michelin snow tire is simply on another level from the Continental all season.One of the distinct advantages is the ability of the Michelin X-Ice Xi3 to stay short of/avoid the ABS engagement threshold, and the Michelin snow tire facilitates brake pedal modulation to accomplish that. On the other hand, applying any notable brake pressure in the BMW at 40 mph resulted in almost immediate ABS intervention. Note (hear) the difference in ABS activity between the two vehicles in the video at the base of this Update.

As a result of the ability to brake with force, but stay short of the ABS engagement threshold, the X-Ice Xi3 possesses far superior lateral maneuverability under braking as well. We didn’t quantify that capability in this particular test, but take our word for it.

Audi S4 with Michelin X-Ice Xi3 40 mph to 0 brake time

BMW 335i xDrive with all season tires 40 mph to 0 brake time

Acceleration Performance

Outside of the World Rally Championship, maximum snow acceleration isn’t particularly relevant, but look, we weren’t about to turn down the opportunity to do some snow launches… And while you might not be timing your acceleration times on snow covered roads, maximum acceleration is an indication of just how much longitudinal grip a tire has to offer.

Once again the X-Ice Xi3 dominated. 0-40 mph took just 5.53 seconds in the Audi, whereas the BMW required 8.26 seconds to slither its way up to the 40 mph mark. The acceleration footage in the video below shows the massive traction disparity.

Audi S4 with Michelin X-Ice Xi3 0-40 mph acceleration time

BMW 335i xDrive with all season tires 0-40 mph acceleration time

Conclusion

Proper winter tires like the Michelin X-Ice Xi3 really are the most effective way to achieve a significant winter performance and safety advantage. Once experienced, a driver will be highly unlikely to settle for anything less.

However, convincing many to move on from tires that are “good enough” in winter months can be a challenge. If you’re one of those holdouts, hopefully the results herein will encourage you to reconsider.​ Think of it as upgrading from a Kia Sorento to a Porsche 918 Spyder.

Our B7 Audi S4 and Michelin X-Ice Xi3 are proving to be a ridiculously capable winter combination. Here's a video that we hope will clearly convey the immense winter traction and performance.

UPDATE 5: Looking for X-Ice Xi3 limitations in Winter Storm Petros.

Winter has run the gamut this year from monsoon to blizzard. Although conditions have been wildly unpredictable, the Michelin X-Ice Xi3 simply has not. Regardless of conditions, the X-Ice Xi3 has impressed with its wide range of capabilities and civility.

The truth is though, up until this week and Winter Storm Petros, we'd not had a chance to really put the X-Ice Xi3 through the paces. We experienced its surprising capability in an unanticipated rainy season, as well as its impressive performance in light to moderate snow, and tough mixed road conditions. Additionally, we established its wintertime supremacy over all season tires in Update 3. But what we really wanted was a memorable winter storm to put the X-Ice Xi3 to the test. Something that kept the school buses immobilized for days and most of the town cowering in shelter. We finally got it.

Petros dropped about 12" of wet snow in our area, and brought 40 mph wind gusts to the party as well. Heavy, wet snow is particularly challenging. It works to trap and bog down vehicles a la quicksand, sticks to everything (see image right), and then turns to sheer ice once packed down by traffic. Typically it's not blown around much, but that changes with wind gusts of 40 mph. The local news warned against travel and said to expect snow drifts of 2' and taller. Time for a drive...

Michelin X-Ice Xi3

Our evening commute was slowed by many tow trucks fetching folks out of the local ditches, as well as an estimated 1 extra minute behind a pickup truck doing an entertaining, albeit hazardous slithering burnout routine up a ~10% grade highway overpass.

As we forged through the challenging conditions without putting a wheel wrong, and with scarcely an ABS intervention, we were struck by a couple of realizations:

a. Our B7 Audi S4 fitted with Michelin X-Ice Xi3 may very well be the most capable vehicle on the roads tonight. Huh, cool.

b. Why would anyone choose to struggle mightily, and put themselves in peril with a set of tires ill-equipped for winter conditions? It's likely that everyone who visited the ditches that evening, and certainly slithering truck guy could have avoided the life endangering episodes simply with a set of snow tires. Witnessing this lack of vehicle control gives perspective as to why much of the EU actually mandates snow tires in the winter months.

Despite the overnight efforts of the road commission, many roads were untouched the next day. Now where to find those snow drifts...

One fun fact about the X-Ice Xi3: It chucks snow like a snow blower as demonstrated in the GIF left.

​This propulsion of snow keeps the tire tracking positively, and permits some steering and maneuverability even in deep snow that would have most vehicles disabled, or making incremental progress at best.

The X-Ice Xi3 on the other hand -- the sensation is that if/when it loses traction in the snow, it fights and digs to reestablish grip. This is a distinct snow tire characteristic, and just plain awesome.

As we approach March it's likely that Petros will be the worst winter conditions experienced this season. The challenging storm served as final validation of the Michelin X-Ice Xi3 and its superior wintertime performance.

Don't yet have a set of snow tires for your winter driving? Hopefully our experiences and the data provided in this season's Michelin X-Ice Xi3 long-term review will encourage you to reconsider.

​Drive safe and have fun out there.

UPDATE 6: Michelin X-Ice Xi3 tread depth and pre-winter check.

And just like that we're back.

The leaves are changing here in the Mitten State and that means time to take inventory of our winter items. First up a status check on our set of X-Ice Xi3 snow tires.

​The X-Ice Xi3's starting tread depth is 10.5/32", or 8.3 mm.

After one season and about 6,000 miles on the road, ours measured in at 7.6 mm, and the wear is uniform across the tread.

We're pleased with the wear rate, especially considering the fact that last winter started off with uncharacteristically warm weather, and well, we didn't exactly "baby" the tires as documented in the updates above.

Conservative snow tire replacement occurs at 4/32", or about 3.1 mm of depth. We don't recommend taking snow tires down the standard 2/32" minimumtread depth (see what we did there?).

Michelin X-Ice Xi3 tread depth

So to translate: At the established rate of wear, our set of X-Ice Xi3 could be in action for another 6 winters and 30,000+ miles.

We'll update tread depth once again down the road.

More to come when the snow flies.

UPDATE 7: Performance validation in a controlled environment.

​So by this point we know full well how the X-Ice Xi3 manages in real world winter conditions. The remaining, burning questions?

How’s it do on an ice rink? And is the X-Ice Xi3 actually Zamboni-worthy?

The truth is, we didn’t need any additional convincing of the X-Ice Xi3’s winter condition performance, but driving on an ice rink isn’t an everyday opportunity, and we love hockey, so.

​In this controlled driving environment, X-Ice Xi3 acceleration traction was the standout characteristic. As compared to the (side by side) acceleration of a Michelin all season tire, it wasn’t a very fair drag race. Both initial grip, and what we’ll call secondary, sustained traction (the ability to increase speed) was far superior with the X-Ice Xi3.

Braking performance was also of course much stronger with the X-Ice Xi3. However, the test procedure dictated engagement of the abs system, and as we covered in Update 3, the braking strength of the X-Ice Xi3 is really in the zone below/short of the abs threshold. In other words, the ability to avoid abs altogether.

Nevertheless, it was a very cool exercise, and reaffirmation of X-Ice Xi3 superiority in, quite literally, any winter environment. Even when competing against one of the most legitimate all season tires on the market.

UPDATE 8: X-Ice Xi3 Fuel Economy.

​Way back in Update 1 we speculated that the X-Ice Xi3 could be contributing to an increase in fuel economy for our rather thirsty German saloon. Now well into our second winter season we have clear data to support that hypothesis.

Historically, fuel economy hasn't been a strong point of snow tires, but the X-Ice Xi3 breaks from that trend and meets Michelin's "Green X" standard for low rolling resistance. Michelin claims the "MICHELIN® X-Ice® Xi3 is also designed to be environmentally friendly to help reduce fuel consumption in addition to having excellent winter grip and long lasting tread life."

We regularly make a 125 mile trip across our home state; a blend of 70 mph interstate, and 55 mph highways and back roads. According to our onboard mpg readout, the best we ever achieved with our high performance all season tires mounted was 23.3 mpg. The X-Ice Xi3 delivered 0.9 mpg more, and 24.2 mpg this last time around (a 3.86% increase in fuel economy).

Optimum fuel economy is yet another achievement for what is one of the most competent all-around tires (let alone winter tires) we've ever experienced.

We’re approaching the tail end of a second winter season with Michelin’s X-Ice Xi3. Any winter performance, or comfort lost during this second season?

We’ve been looking for fault, but nope, not as far as we can tell. The X-Ice Xi3 continues to provide a massive amount of grip no matter the winter conditions. The combination of our front heavy Audi (with Quattro) and the X-Ice Xi3 have proved a ridiculously formidable winter combination once again.

We have been doing some reflecting on the X-Ice Xi3 as a “studless ice & snow” tire, and the idea that this particular type of winter/snow tire is probably the ideal for the vast majority of U.S. drivers. Even those who drive performance cars through the winter.

We’ve tested both the X-Ice Xi3 and the Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 on German performance sedans this season. If you can keep the hooliganism to a minimum, both “studless ice & snow” tires provide enough dry condition capability and handling to complement a performance chassis on public roads. And we think the winter condition performance advantages of this variety of winter/snow tire are tangible as compared to “performance winter/snow” tires like the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4, Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3, and the like.

Food for thought if you’re vascillating between winter/snow tire types. Studless ice & snow tires really have advanced in terms of dry road handling. So much so that we wonder about the prudence of exchanging more dry road performance and top speed potential (no Autobahn here) for the snow/ice/slush advantages of a studless ice & snow tire like the X-Ice Xi3.